Re: SXSW 2014

Kid Congo is going have his 55th Birthday Party event in Austin during SXSW is happening. I would definetly check that out since he is going try to get old friends to play as well try to promote some new bands.

Re: SXSW 2014

I will be going as usual again this year . I have been going since 2008 and never had a badge or wristband. If possible, the best bet is to stay with friends in austin if you have them, otherwise the main expense is staying somewhere. I may have paid for one or two shows last year at night, but mostly go for free.

Hype hotel had one of the best setups last year and is where I caught most of the shows I went to during the day, I saw Disclosure, CHVRCHES, Flume, !!!, Polyphonic spree, MO, austra, St. Lucia and a few others there. The Vans Mohawk showcase had Alt-J and Toro Y Moi and Austra which required getting there early but was really good. Last year was the year to see Icona Pop for free at sxsw also, they played the MAd Decent party which had tons of dj stuff going on. I met up with some friends there. The Jim James and Flaming Lips show at Auditorium Shores was good also, but super packed. The Black Lips and Deer Tick show was another $10 show I went to also at night. The last day show I saw was THee Oh Sees across the Street from Lustre Pearl which was a good closer also.

It can be overwelming for rookies, and I always bring my bike to travel around from venue to venue. Twitter is your best friend for finding out whats going on, and a portable battery charger is a must if you want to keep in contact or see whats going on. I have seen some amazing shows at sxsw with Trentemoller at La Zona Rosa, and watching NOFX while on stage at Mess With Texas party topping my favorites list also. It is the ultimate make your own adventure music festival, and it is cheap and easy to get wasted for free or near free if you tip well. My usual expenses are tipping and food trucks, otherwise I might pay for a show or 2. Even if someone is playing at Stubb's, you can usually hang outside and listen if you really want to hear it, but odds are you can find a show in a small venue worth checking out.

I could keep rambling, but may chime in later if anyone needs any questions answered. I have never had to book a hotel, but I can't drive back to anywhere this year if I am out partying. I am just lucky to have a friend off 7th street 4 blocks off I-35 in the middle of everything. It makes it easy to just getup and go. My friend is also a homebrewer who know opened a meadery, so getting smashed is usually part of the plan. Just need to make sure I remember it next time I party to oblivion. It is one hell of an endurance test riding a bike around for 4 days getting smashed, but oh so much fun.

You never know what band will be playing as you are walking down the street going somewhere. You just have to go with the flow.

Re: SXSW 2014

Re: SXSW 2014

So I have signed up for RSVPster. Anyone else here already done that? They said they will auto-RSVP you to every single free/ open party at SXSW, except for the ones that require Facebook authentication. Anyone want to keep a tab on the parties that RSVPster won't auto-RSVP you too?

Originally Posted by bmack86

And it's been long established that Chris hates fun.

Originally Posted by Hatinisbad

I took my niece this year and it was her first Coachella. It was so fun to see it through her eyes. She thought it felt like a magical scene from Shreck. The one where all the fairy tale creatures meet for the first time in Shreck's swamp.

Re: SXSW 2014

Oh really? Damn. Haha. Oh well. Already signed up for it. Since I am not getting a badge/ wristband, I want to make sure I get into as many free parties as possible. Really hoping The So So Glos play at least 1 free show that I can make it in to.

Do any free/ open parties that do not require a badge/ wristband ever happen at night at SXSW?

Originally Posted by bmack86

And it's been long established that Chris hates fun.

Originally Posted by Hatinisbad

I took my niece this year and it was her first Coachella. It was so fun to see it through her eyes. She thought it felt like a magical scene from Shreck. The one where all the fairy tale creatures meet for the first time in Shreck's swamp.

Re: SXSW 2014

I did RSVPster last year and didint think it was worth it. I went to a few parties thinking that I was covered and it wasnt the case. The parties worth going to are ones you have to use social media to rsvp.

Re: SXSW 2014

I would at least get a wristband, The waits for non badge / wristband lines can really keep you from jumping from show to show. Before I sprung for a wristband, I waited in VICELAND line for over 2 hours and missed a ton of shit.